FLOODLIGHT Page 1

January 2020

Written by

Ron Hutchinson

Produced by

Rachel Alberts

and Russell Wyland

Directed by

Juli Tarabek Blacker

Order Your

Tickets Now!

Call the Box Office

703-683-0496

FEATURED PRODUCTION

Producers Rachel Alberts and Russell Wyland and Director Juli Tarabek

Blacker are excited to present Moonlight and Magnolias, a comedy that

recounts the hilarious writing of the screenplay of the movie Gone with the

Wind. Legendary film producer David O. Selznick is five weeks into

shooting Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel when he realizes the script is

awful and the director doesn’t have a clue. He has a few short days to replace

them and restart shooting or the production will shut down. Cloistered away

in Selznick’s office with nothing but bananas and peanuts to sustain them,

three writers with oversized egos and opinions frantically craft (and act out)

one of the most beloved screenplays of all times. Based on a true story!

A first-rate cast and crew are led by Assistant Director Alexander Bulova,

Stage Combat Choreographer Stefan Sittig, and Stage Managers Sherry

Clarke and Margaret Evans-Joyce. Ken Brown and Stacey Becker have

collaborated on the deco-inspired set design, capturing the magic of early

Hollywood; Ken will also build the set and Stacey will decorate it. Kathy

Ohlhaber will paint the set and Bobbie Herbst will design the props, while

Ceci Alberts and Mary Wallace will costume the actors. Alex Geoghagan

will head the wardrobe team, and Hilary Adams will design make-up and

hair. Jeff Auerbach and Kimberly Crago will serve as both lighting

designers and master electricians, and Alan Wray will design the sound

cues. Capturing all the hijinks on film is photographer Brian Knapp.

The comedic ensemble cast is comprised of Griffin Voltmann (most

recently seen in LTA’s Dracula) as the visionary David O. Selznick,

Michael Fisher (most recently seen in LTA’s The Savannah Disputation) as

director Victor Fleming, J. T. Spivy (making his LTA debut) as writer

extraordinaire Ben Hecht, and Hillary Leersnyder (making her LTA debut)

as Miss Poppenghul, the only person with enough patience and smarts to

keep the three men on point.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Russell Wyland, President

Brendan Quinn, Governor for

Membership

Kirstin Apker, Floodlight Coordinator

Linda Wells, Floodlight Editor

Next Floodlight March 23rd

Inside This Issue

President’s Column Page 2

Auditions Page 3

Thank You Page 4

WATCH nominees Page 4

Governors at Work Page 5

Governor’s Message Page 6

New Members Page 6

Council Corner Page 7

FLOODLIGHT Page 2

President’s

Column

Russell

Wyland

My Favorite Show

In the last two weeks, I have been asked three times to name my “favorite show.” Each time, I answered sincerely,

but differently. The first time, I answered limiting myself to those shows I worked on – I chose Hairspray and 33

Variations. Both evoked powerful feelings. The former felt like everyone on the production was engaged in

something that was socially important, a common statement that was important to make. The latter was far more

personal, and I still get choked up when I think about the cast’s beautiful rendition of Beethoven’s Kyrie.

The second time I was asked, I was in a different mood and in the company of other backstage volunteers. At that

moment, my favorite show was a combination of productions that were technically ingenious: Dirty Blonde used

rear projections in ways that LTA had never done; In the Heights had a fireworks lighting effect that I remember like

I saw it yesterday; one production of A Christmas Carol had a door knocker made of a black nylon that morphed

into Marley’s face just long enough to make little children in the audience cry; and, of course, who could forget the

dancing pigeons in The Producers – never has a prop gotten such a laugh!

The third time I was asked, I was feeling a bit melancholy and responded by naming many of the great LTAers with

whom I loved working. Roland Gomez’s Born Yesterday, Teahouse of the August Moon, and It Runs In the Family

were three of my favorite productions with that great, lovely, kind, frustrating man. Anne Devonold Lash and Bea

Head — true titans in LTA’s history — gave me my first opportunities, and their productions will always be dear to

me. Ed Lockwood, a U.S. Marine colonel, scared the heck out of me, but he directed a heck of a show.

The last few days, I have been chuckling about my inconsistency. I have also wondered, however, why I cannot

settle on an answer to a simple question: what is my favorite show? It clearly isn’t only about box office or critical

success. For me, my favorite production is some combination of personal connection to the material, plus a sense of

technical wonder, plus the relationships that I form along the way. So I ask you: what is your favorite show? And

why? I bet you come up with a similarly complex non-answer.

Russell Wyland, President

Planning Your Gift

Have you considered including The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) as a beneficiary of your estate? LTA can

suggest tools that will assist you in making plans that will support the artistic and education programs of the theatre

in the future, as well as provide your estate with tax benefits. Supporters of LTA who make planned gifts are invited

to be members of The LTA Legacy Society. The LTA Legacy Society recognizes those who have demonstrated their

concern for the long-term well-being of LTA by notifying us of their bequest or other planned gift. For additional

information, please call Tina McCrea at 703-683-5778 ext. 2 or email Tina@thelittletheatre.com.

FLOODLIGHT Page 3

Written by

Jessica Swale

Produced by

Lloyd Bittinger

and Margaret Chapman

Directed by

Marzanne Claiborne

Audition Dates

Saturday, February 8, 2020

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 9, 2020

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Callbacks

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Upcoming Auditions Set against the backdrop of Cambridge University in the late 19th century,

Blue Stockings tells the story of the women who risk breaking contemporary

social expectations for a world-class education and the men whose worldview

is enhanced or challenged by their presence at the prestigious school. The

central theme of struggling for and acclimating to social change make this

play timeless in nature, despite its Victorian setting.

Audition Notes

All race and ethnicities are welcome. Please prepare a one-minute monologue

from a play of a similar genre; you do not need to affect an accent for your

monologue. Please bring a headshot and résumé if you have them, and be

ready to list all your conflicts for the rehearsal and performance periods.

Character Descriptions

Tess Moffat (female, 18 - 27): A curious young woman and burgeoning sci-

entist who is still acclimating herself to the unladylike elements of education,

like riding a bicycle.

Celia Willbond (female, 18 - 27): Driven but cautious, a little fragile. Prefers

the simpler things in life. A philosophical foil to Carolyn.

Carolyn Addison (female, 18 - 27): A free spirit from aristocratic stock, the

most liberated young woman of the bunch.

Maeve Sullivan (female, 18 - 27): Mysterious and whip-smart, from hardy

working-class stock.

Ralph Mayhew (male, 18 - 27): Trinity student. A scientist and romantic.

This role requires an actor who either speaks Italian or can achieve fluent

pronunciation working with the show’s Italian language coach.

Lloyd (male, 18 - 27): Trinity student. A young vanguard of traditional

English values. The type who would probably run for prime minister.

Holmes (male, 18 - 27): Trinity student. The most academically-minded of

the young men. Cares more about propriety and hewing to his own ideas of

progressivism than any social change the women are trying to effect.

Edwards (male, 18 - 27): Trinity student, something of a romantic. Please

note that this character must be able to jump on top of a table and sing a few

bars of “The Last Rose of Summer” without musical accompaniment.

Will Bennett (male, 18 - 27): King’s College student. His friendship with

Tess places him at almost an exact midpoint between the status quo ideals of

Cambridge and the radical break with tradition at Girton.

Elizabeth Welsh (female, 50s - 60s): Mistress of Girton College. Her

primary mission is to keep the school open and scandal-free, whatever the

cost. She is focused on getting women the right to graduate from Cambridge.

Dr. Maudsley (male, 50s - 70s): A renowned psychiatrist. His views on the

differing roles of men and women are based on what he views as the

prevailing science in Britain.

(continued on page 5)

FLOODLIGHT Page 4

Thank You from A Christmas Carol A very big thank-you from Mr. Scrooge and his 18 other cast members. We hope that you

enjoyed the ghosts, the fog, the Cratchits, the carols, and a newly designed set, and that you can

fondly remember A Christmas Carol in your past, present, and future. Our director, dedicated

cast, designers, builders, painters, backstage crew, parents, box office staff, and ushers all helped

pull our show together for this sold-out 22 performance run, and we thank the more than 70

people who were involved with this seasonal favorite.

Jim Howard and Carol Strachan, Co-Producers

Special Thank You to Holiday Brunch Sponsors

It was a delight to see so many LTA members at the December 15th holiday brunch. We are particularly grateful to

the following local businesses for supporting the event.

Dawn & Dusk Coffee, located at the Alexandria Old Town Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, served their

specialty craft coffee and whipped up waffles on the spot.

La Trattoria, one block from LTA, contributed bagel-and-cream-cheese platters.

Firehook Bakery, just around the corner, donated breakfast pastries.

We look forward to future opportunities to partner with these local businesses.

Luana Bossolo, Membership Committee Chair, and Brendan R. Quinn, Governor for Membership

WATCH Nominations Outstanding Set Decoration/Set Dressing in a Play:

Deborah Remmers – The Savannah Disputation

Outstanding Set Decoration/Set Dressing in a Musical:

Russell J. Wyland – The Producers

Outstanding Properties in a Musical:

Kirstin Apker – The Producers

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical:

Ken and Patti Crowley – The Producers

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play:

Janice Rivera – The Haunting of Hill House

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical:

Alan Wray – The Producers

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play:

Farrell Hartigan – A Few Good Men

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical:

Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley – The Producers

Outstanding Makeup Design in a Musical:

Larissa Norris – The Producers

Outstanding Hair Design in a Play:

Susan Boyd – You Can’t Take It With You

Outstanding Hair Design in a Musical:

Susan Boyd – The Producers

Outstanding Cameo in a Musical:

Cheryl Bolt as “Hold Me, Touch Me” – The Producers

Drake Leach as “Scott” – The Producers

Derek Marsh as “Kevin” – The Producers

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play:

Nicholas Temple as “Lt. Jack Ross” – A Few Good Men

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:

Timothy R. King as “Carmen Ghia” – The Producers

Brian Lyons-Burke as “Roger DeBris” – The Producers

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:

Steve Cairns as “Max Bialystock” – The Producers

Ryan Phillips as “Leo Bloom” – The Producers

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical: The Producers

Outstanding Music Direction:

Colin Taylor – The Producers

Outstanding Direction of a Musical:

Kristina Friedgen – The Producers

Outstanding Musical: The Producers

FLOODLIGHT Page 5

At the most recent meeting of the LTA Board, the governors

discussed progress on both the donation campaign, which has

been strong, and plans for renovating the public women’s

restroom. Such projects take a lot of planning and have an

impact on almost every department in some way. The Board

reaffirmed its hope to participate again in Alexandria’s First

Night activities, which the renovation of the restroom disrupted

this year.

Treasurer David Hale announced that public ticket sales are up from this same time last year, and A Christmas

Carol appears likely to sell out yet again. He also notified the governors that the budgeting process will begin in

mid-January. The LTA budget must be approved by May 1st, the beginning of LTA’s fiscal year.

The Board was delighted by the turnout and new format of the LTA holiday party. Members thanked Governor for

Membership Brendan Quinn and the many volunteers led by Luana Bossolo who made the holiday brunch such a

success. The Board also thanked the LTA Council for beautifully decorating the theatre both inside and out for the

holidays.

The strategic planning effort, which was reported in the last issue of the Floodlight, was discussed. A subcommittee

of the Board will develop a structure that will allow the process to move forward. There will be more on this soon.

Governor for Seasonal Planning Ashley Amidon announced that she and Selection Committee Chairman Jeff

Hastow would be working on the play selection for the 2021/2022 season. The general format for the season will

remain the same, and board members made several suggestions about possible shows.

The Board continues to discuss how to ensure that all productions achieve an equally high standard of quality.

Governor for Production Alan Wray presented his thoughts about how to best use the existing structures at LTA to

maintain and improve quality. Governor for Development Sarah Holt reviewed how other theaters – both

community and professional – approach this same concern.

Russell Wyland, President

Your Board

of Governors

at Work

(continued from page 3)

Mr. Banks (male, 30s - 50s): A lecturer at Girton and Trinity. A bit of an eccentric, but passionate about educating

and is a committed supporter of women’s rights to education.

Miss Blake (female, 20s - 40s): Moral science lecturer at Girton. Knows that she would choose the academic life over

again in a heartbeat, but lets the young women decide for themselves.

Professor Collins (male, 30s - 60s): Lecturer at Trinity. Part of the old guard of Cambridge dons, but willing to keep

an open mind.

Professor Anderson (male, 30s - 60s): Lecturer at Trinity. Part of the old guard of Cambridge dons, but secretly

supportive of the women.

Professor Radleigh (male, 40s - 60s): Board member at Trinity. The picture of traditional Victorian values.

Minnie (female, any age over 18): The housemaid. Acts like an older sister/aunt and confidante to the girls. This role

requires comedic timing.

Mr. Peck (male, 25 - 65): Gardener and maintenance man, supportive of the women.

Billy Sullivan (male, mid-20s): Maeve’s brother. Illiterate, rough around the edges but dutiful.

Miss Bott (female, 40s - 60s): Chaperone for the Girton girls. Propriety is her watchword, but she has a good heart

and a sense of humor.

Mrs. Lindley (female, 40s - 60s): Owner of the haberdashery. May be doubled.

FLOODLIGHT Page 6

Governor’s Message

Seasonal Planning

Over the holidays you may have seen LTA’s open call for shows and for Play Selection Committee members for the

2021/2022 season. Given we’re barely into 2020, picking the season that ends over two years from now may seem

very odd. But that’s because the season selection process at LTA takes time – as all things do when done right – and

we want to ensure that we’re making thoughtful decisions about what we put on our stage.

We start with deciding how to collect possible shows. While there are a number of ways the Governor for Seasonal

Planning can choose to solicit scripts, I want to make sure that every member of LTA has the opportunity to weigh in

on the process. The Board approved my suggestion to select our season via open call again this year. Anyone from

anywhere could recommend a show. At the time of this writing, we already have over 100 show suggestions!

The Play Selection Committee also sought members through January 15th. Members must be either subscribers or

members of LTA. I am always amazed at how many people step up and volunteer to serve. With close to ten slots to

fill, we usually have over 25 people that apply to sit on the selection committee. This committee reads the scripts

LTA receives and makes a recommendation to the Board on a suggested season.

The process begins with me winnowing the show options down. The committee generally reads around 50 shows

altogether. All shows performed within the last ten LTA seasons or the last three seasons at surrounding theaters are

automatically removed. The committee will meet multiple times over several months to discuss about how each

script stacks up on a number of factors: the ease of casting, the quality of the script, cast size, possible audiences, and

resonance with LTA’s subscriber base. The goal is to have a balanced season that will reflect the eclectic tastes of

our audiences and the variance in our audition pool.

The committee will ultimately recommend seven shows and five alternates. The Board then has some time to read

these 12 scripts, and will then meet in a special session later this spring to discuss and decide which shows will be

the best fit for LTA. Once selected, LTA will immediately begin pursuing the rights for all the shows. Of course,

there can always be a last-minute issue getting the rights, so occasionally the Board, in consultation with the

committee, may have to re-select a show.

Since I took up this governorship in 2017, it’s been my privilege to work with some amazing readers on the Play

Selection Committee. Our members can have drastically differing tastes in theater, but watching a committee come

together every year to agree on what is best for LTA and put aside their personal feelings has been so inspiring. We

have the most passionate and hardest-working members, and I can’t wait to select another season with our new

committee. If you ever have any feedback about our play selection or director selection processes, you’re welcome to

reach out at ltaseasonalplanning@gmail.com.

Ashley Amidon Governor for Seasonal Planning

New Members

Audrey Baker Alexandra Chace Devin Dietrich

Makenna Gillen Steve McBride Allison Meyer

Jordan Peyer Karen Sagun

FLOODLIGHT Page 7

When you receive this issue of the Floodlight, Frank and I will be basking in the

sun (hopefully) in Florida, so I will be unable to make the February 16th Council

meeting. We will be electing the next Director and Financial Officer for the

Council. Donna Hauprich has done a great job as chair of the Nominating

Committee. Zell Murphy and Lloyd Bittinger will be running for Director and

Financial Officer, respectively. There may also be nominations from the floor.

On another note, Margaret Evans-Joyce has resigned as Recording Secretary,

and the Executive Committee voted to have Donna Hauprich be our Recording

Secretary and finish out MEJ’s term. Congratulations, Donna!

Many thanks to the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning (actually it

only took us half an hour) to take down the holiday decorations: Lloyd Bittinger,

Geoff Baskir, Luana Bossolo, Charlotte Corneliusen, Charlie Dragonette,

Sharon and Lenny Dove, Margaret Evans-Joyce, Bobbie Herbst, Art and

Margaret Snow, and Frank Winters.

Beginning April 1st, we have our membership renewal drive. Note that the

Council’s year is different from LTA’s season!

Dues are $75.00 per year and entitle Council members to a complimentary ticket

to each mainstage show (this does not include the holiday show). So this year, unless you have paid your dues,

you will not be eligible to see Blue Stockings after May 1st or Rumors.

The Council has completed quite a number of projects at LTA over the years. Please continue to help us

enhance the theatre. We would also love to have new Council members.

Carolyn Winters

LTA Council Director

The Arts Build Communities

Council

Corner

Did you know that in case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs

(automated external defibrillators)?

They are located as follows:

1) in the lobby, near the Council (Green) Room

2) in the cast entrance hallway, near the backstage door

3) in the Alexandria Academy, on the first floor

In Case of Emergency

FLOODLIGHT Page 8

The Little Theatre of Alexandria

600 Wolfe Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Box Office: 703-683-0496

Business Office: 703-683-5778 x2

Fax: 703-683-1378

www.thelittletheatre.com

Mark Your Calendars

2/8 – 2/9 Blue Stockings

auditions

2/16 LTA Council meeting

2/29 Moonlight and

Magnolias opens

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors, under the direction of the President, is

responsible for managing the affairs and operations of The Little

Theatre of Alexandria.

The Governors for the 2019 – 2020 season are:

President.................................................................................Russell Wyland Governor for Artistic Support......................................................Susan Boyd Governor for Box Office..............................................................Ira Forstater Governor for Building........................................................Frank D. Shutts II Governor for Development.............................................................Sarah Holt Governor for Education...................................................Michael J. Baker, Jr. Governor for Front of House......................................................Robert Kraus Governor for Membership.......................................................Brendan Quinn Governor for Production................................................................Alan Wray Governor for Public Relations.................................................Rachel Alberts Governor for Seasonal Planning..............................................Ashley Amidon Governor for Technical Support.................................................Ken Crowley

Additional officers are:

President Pro-Tem....................................................................Rachel Alberts Treasurer........................................................................................David Hale Board Secretary.....................................................................Carolyn Winters Executive Secretary……………………………………………Jamie Blake LTA Council Director……………………………………...Carolyn Winters

membershipgovlta@gmail.com